Infinite MonkeysBob Barr is the Libertarian Party's nominee for president. Read hundreds -- nay thousands! -- of words on the candidate and the Byzantine politics of certain (principled) defeat here, here and here. Enjoy.
Update: And the Republicans think they have problems? David Weigel reports on the way out of Denver:
Defeated candidate and Massachusetts party chair George Phillies pulled me aside to express how worried he was about the Barr/Root ticket. "This is a train wreck," he said. "My delegation is majority pagan. Nominating this man is the equivalent of nominating an Imperial Wizard of the KKK to lead a party of African Americans." Phillies raised the possibility of a Massachusetts LP convention that would nominate a new candidate at the top of the ticket, like author L. Neil Smith. And as I left, I heard a rumor that Arizona might do the same thing.
A schism within the Libertarian Party ranks could be the difference between .4 and .5 percent of the popular vote. Golly, I hope Barr and his running mate -- some guy named Root -- can work it out.
Posted by Ben at May 26, 2008 01:19 PMAs a documented supporter of a candidate who has no chance of winning, allow me to piss on the Libertarian Party as well. They already lost Arizona eight years ago to petty internal politics, and that was when they had a fantastic national candidate in Harry Browne. Now it looks like the party is set for full-scale implosion.
I don't understand what sort of ego-stroking Bob Barr is trying to accomplish with this campaign, but the fact that it actually played with enough Libertarians to get him the nomination probably signals (in bright lights) the end of that party as a truly principled alternative to the major parties. Too bad, really.
Posted by: Monkey RobbL at May 28, 2008 11:41 AM